Seat belt hanging and holding member

ABSTRACT

A seat belt hanging and holding member of the present invention is capable of reducing manufacturing cost by reducing the material cost required for a coating member while improving safety. The seat belt hanging and holding member 10 slidably hangs and holds a seat belt by folding back an intermediate part of the seat belt (waving belt) 74. The member 10 comprises a base member, 20 made of a metal plate having a slot 22 and a coating member 30 made of a synthetic resin which covers at least the periphery of the slot 22 of the base member 20 and is provided with a seat belt-inserting hole 31 on a part corresponding to the slot 22. The slot 22 is provided with an edge part 22a corresponding to at least the part on which the seat belt 74 is folded back, which is formed in a smoothly curved surface along the direction in which the seat belt 74 is folded back.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a seat belt hanging and holding memberfor slidingly hanging a seat belt (waving belt) for example, athree-point type seat belt for an automobile.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, in order to achieve the safety of members riding in anautomobile, a threepoint type seat belt for supporting the breast partsof the members riding in the automobile in a crossed fashion as well asa two-point type seat belt for holding the waist parts have beenadopted.

FIG. 43A is a perspective view of the interior of an automobile 1, forexplaining the construction of a three-point type seat belt 70. Althoughthe three-point type seat belt may be mounted on all of the front seatsand the rear seats of the automobile 1, herein only a driver's seat 2will be described for simplicity of explanation.

The three-point type seat belt 70 is designed to be put on between thethree points of a first anchor 71 provided on the lower part of a centerpillar 3, a second anchor 72 mounted on a floor part between a driver'sseat 2 and an assistant seat 4 and a third anchor 73 provided on theupper part of the center pillar 3. The three-point type seat belt 70comprises a waving belt 74 one end of which is attached to the firstanchor 71 and the other end of which is folded back at the part of thethird anchor 73 and wound by a retractor (not shown) built in the centerpillar 3 and a fixed belt 75 one end of which is attached to the secondanchor 72 and the other end of which is provided with a buckle 77. Atongue part 76 to be locked in the buckle 77 is provided in anintermediate part of the waving belt 74.

FIG. 43B is a perspective view of a conventional seat belt hanging andholding member 78 to be mounted on the third anchor 73. As illustratedin FIGS. 43B and 43C, the seat belt hanging and holding member 78comprises a base member 80 made of a steel plate (metal plate) having abolt-inserting hole 81 and a slot 82 and a coating member 90 made of asynthetic resin for covering the periphery of the slot 82 of the basemember 80 and having a seat belt-inserting hole 91 formed in the slot82. The slot 82 is, as shown in FIG. 43C, punched out, throughout itswhole periphery, substantially perpendicularly to the surface of thebase member 80. Further, the slot 82 comprises, as illustrated in FIG.44, long edge parts 82a and 82b opposed to each other, and short edgeparts 82c and 82d for connecting together both-the end parts of theselong edge parts 82a and 82b. The respective long edge parts 82a and 82band short edge parts 82c and 82d are, as described above, punched outsubstantially at right angles with the surface of the base member 80. Inaddition, the seat belt-inserting hole 91 is, as shown in FIG. 44,formed so as to cover the respective long edge parts 82a and 82b andshort edge parts 82c and 82d. A part extending along the one long edgepart 82a serves as a folding-back and sliding part 91a for slidinglyfolding back the waving belt 74.

The seat belt hanging and holding member 78 constructed as mentionedabove is fixed to the third anchor 73 by means of a bolt inserted intothe bolt-inserting hole 81. Then, the waving belt 74 is slidingly slungand held on the folding-back and sliding part 91a. The waving belt 74 isusually subjected to an aromatic agent process to improve its slidingfeature to the coating member 90.

Additionally stated, the seat belt hanging and holding member 78 is, asillustrated in FIG. 43A, formed by molding the coating member 90integrally with the base member 80 in accordance with, what is called,an insert molding process. In other words, after the base member 80 isinserted into a metal mold for forming the coating member 90, the metalmold is closed and filled with a resin so that the coating member 90 isintegrally formed with the base member 80.

In the case of the above described conventional seat belt hanging andholding-member 78, however, since the slot 82 is punched outperpendicularly to the base member 80, the slot 82 is provided withrectangular corner parts. Therefore, rectangular corner parts are formedon the coating member 90 adjacent to the slot 82. There is a risk thatstress is concentrated on such rectangular corner parts. That is, therearises a risk that large stress is liable to be concentrated on the partin contact with the slot 82 in the coating member 90. Therefore, indesigning the coating member 90, a large safety factor, which is deemedto be more than sufficient, is employed so that a thick coating member90 is formed so that the coating member 90 is not broken. Accordingly,there has been a problem that the material cost required for the coatingmember increases, which results in high cost.

Further, in the above mentioned conventional seat belt hanging andholding member 78, as shown in FIG. 44, the waving belt 74 is slidinglyslung and held on the folding back and sliding part 91a. When the wavingbelt 74 is abruptly pulled, however, as shown in FIG. 45, the wavingbelt 74 sometimes is moved toward the one short edge part 82c side ofthe slot 82, or as shown in FIG. 46, the waving belt 74 isconcentrically gathered together to the short edge 82c side.Particularly, when the waving belt 74 concentrically comes together tothe short edge 82c side, a large force is exerted on the coating member90 from the base member 80, so that the force acting on the coatingmember 90 needs to be lowered.

Further, in the above mentioned conventional seat belt hanging andholding member 78, there have been problems that the resin tends to leakalong the outer peripheral edge parts 83 of the base member 80, as seenin FIG. 47, because of the pressure of the resin in the insert moldingand burs 90a are liable to be produced in the boundary parts 83a betweenthe outer peripheral edges 83 and the coating member 90.

Still further, since the base member 80 is generally formed with acarbon steel having, for example, about S55C (SAE1045 to SAE1050), it issubjected to a press molding and then to a thermal treatment so that itsstrength is improved. Therefore, many production processes areinconveniently needed. Additionally, since deflection is generated onthe base member 80 owing to the thermal treatment, when the base member80 is inserted into the metal mold in order to form the coating member90 in accordance with the insert molding, an excessive force forcorrecting the base member to a normal figure is exerted on the metalmold. This undesirably causes the life of the metal mold to be lowered.In addition, when the base member 80 is formed with the material ofS55C, there has been a risk that hydrogen brittleness is, during aplating process, generated on the base member 80. Therefore, a thermaltreatment to remove the hydrogen brittleness needs to be simultaneouslycarried out. Consequently, numerous production processes have beendisadvantageously required.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide aseat belt hanging and holding member capable of reducing manufacturingcost by lowering the material cost required for a coating member whilesafety is improved.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a seat belthanging and holding member capable of supporting a force exerted uponthe coating member from a base member even if a seat belt isconcentrically gathered on, for example, one end side in thelongitudinal direction of a slot.

Further, a third object of the present invention is to provide a seatbelt hanging and holding member capable of preventing burs formed withthe coating member from being produced on the boundary parts between theouter peripheral edge parts of the base member and the coating member.

Still further, a fourth object of the present invention is to provide aseat belt hanging and holding member capable of reducing the number ofproduction processes and improving the duration of life of a metal moldinto which the base member is inserted.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In order to attain the above described objects, the invention includes aseat belt hanging and holding member for slidably hanging and holding aseat belt by folding back an intermediate part of the seat belt which isprovided so as to be supplied and prevented from being supplied uponemergency; the seat belt hanging and holding member comprising: a basemember made of a metal plate having a slot; and a coating member made ofa synthetic resin for covering at least the periphery of the slot of thebase member and having a seat belt inserting hole formed on a partcorresponding to the slot; the slot having an edge part corresponding toat least the folded-back part of the seat belt being formed in acurved-surface shape smoothly curved along the direction in which theseat belt is folded back.

The invention also includes a seat belt hanging and holding member,wherein the edge part of the slot corresponding to at least thefolded-back part of the seat belt protrudes to one surface side of thebase member and is formed in a smoothly curved surface along thedirection in which the seat belt is folded back.

The invention also includes a seat belt hanging and holding member,wherein the edge part of the slot corresponding to at least thefolded-back part of the seat belt protrudes to one surface side and theother surface side of the base member and is formed in a smoothly curvedsurface along the direction in which the seat belt is folded back.

The invention also includes a seat belt hanging and holding member forslidably hanging and holding a seat belt by folding back an intermediatepart of the seat belt which is provided so as to be supplied andprevented from being supplied upon emergency; the seat belt hanging andholding member comprising: a base member made of a metal plate having aslot; and a coating member made of a synthetic resin which covers atleast the periphery of the slot of the base member and has 8L seat beltinserting hole formed in a part corresponding to the slot; the end partof the slot in its longitudinal direction being formed in a smoothlycurved surface along the direction in which the seat belt is deflected.

The invention also includes a seat belt hanging and holding member,wherein the end part of the slot in its longitudinal direction protrudesto one surface side of the base member and is formed in a smoothlycurved surface along the direction in which the seat belt is deflected.

The invention also includes a seat belt hanging and holding member,wherein the end part of the slot in its longitudinal direction protrudesto one surface side and to the other surface side of the base member andis formed in a smoothly curved surface along the direction in which theseat belt is folded back.

The invention also includes a seat-belt hanging and holding-member forslidably hanging and holding a seat belt by folding back an intermediatepart of the seat belt which is constructed so as to be supplied andprevented from being supplied upon emergency; the seat belt hanging andholding member comprising: a base member made of a metal plate having aslot into which said seat belt is inserted; and a coating member made ofa synthetic resin for covering the periphery of the slot of the basemember; the outer peripheral edge parts of the base member beingprovided with step parts set lower by one step in the boundary partsbetween the edge parts and the coating member.

The invention also includes a seat belt hanging and holding member,wherein the base member is formed by cold-working a raw material ofhigh-tension steel.

According to the invention if the seat belt is in a state where it canbe supplied, the seat belt can be slidingly supplied while the middlepart of the seat belt is folded back on the coating member by, forexample, pulling the seat belt. When the supply of the seat belt isstopped, however, a force for pulling the seat belt is directly exertedon the coating member.

The force directly exerted on the coating member is directly applied tothe slot of the base member through the coating member, so that thecoating member undergoes a reaction force from the edge part of theslot. However, since the edge part corresponding to the position whereat least the seat belt is folded back in the slot is formed in a curvedsurface shape smoothly curved along the direction in which the seat beltis deflected, the stress concentration of the coating member in contactwith the edge part of the slot is extremely decreased. Therefore, evenwhen a force is exerted on the coating member from the edge part of theslot, large stress is not generated in the coating member and strengthis substantially increased in comparison with that of a conventionalcoating member. Therefore, since the thickness of the coating member canbe decreased in proportion to the increase of its strength, the materialcost of the coating member can be reduced without lowering safetybecause of the decrease in strength of the coating member, whichcontributes the reduction of the cost.

Further, since the thickness of the coating member is set by employingan excessively sufficient safety factor, the coating member should notbe broken. If the coating member should be broken, however the seat beltwould abut against the edge part of the slot but would not be cut,because the edge part of the slot corresponding to the position wherethe seat belt is folded back is formed as a curved surface. Specificallystated, if the coating member should be broken, the safety should beassured by the seat belt.

Further stated, if the coating member should be broken, the seat beltwould not be cut. Therefore, the thinner coating member may be formed.

According to the invention since the edge part of the slot correspondingto at least the part on which the seat belt is folded back protrudes toone surface side of the base member and formed in a smoothly curvedsurface along the direction in which the seat belt is folded back, theradius of curvature of the edge part can be increased. Accordingly, thestress concentration of the coating member coming into contact with theedge part can be further decreased. In addition, since a face pressureapplied to the coating member from the edge part can be decreased, theforce exerted on the coating member from the base member can be reduced.

According to the invention since the edge part of the slot is designedto protrude to one surface side and the other surface side of the basemember, the force acting on the coating member can be further reduced.

According to the invention, since the end part in the longitudinaldirection of the slot is formed in a smoothly curved surface along thedirection in which the seat belt is folded back, the stressconcentration of the coating member in contact with the end part of theslot can be decreased. Accordingly, if the seat belt concentricallygathers to, for example, the one end side of the slot in itslongitudinal direction, the force exerted on the coating member from theend part will be distributed, and therefore, the force acting on thecoating member from the base member is reduced.

According to the invention, since the end part of the slot in itslongitudinal direction is designed to protrude to one surface side ofthe base member, or protrude to both the one surface side and the othersurface side of the base member, the radius of curvature of the end partformed in a curved surface shape can be increased. Thus, the stressconcentration of the coating member in contact with the end part can belowered. Additionally, face pressure exerted on the coating member fromthe end part can be decreased: Accordingly, the force acting on thecoating member from the base member can be further reduced.

According to the invention, since the step part set lower by one stepthan the outer peripheral edge part of the base member is provided inthe boundary part between the outer peripheral edge part and the coatingmember, a resin can be prevented from leaking along the outer peripheraledge part of the base member from the boundary part during an insertmolding. Consequently, the burs formed with the coating member can beprevented from being produced in the boundary part between the outerperipheral edge part of the base member and the coating member.

Additionally stated, since the leakage of the resin can be prevented asmentioned above, the closing force of the metal mold does not need to bestrongly set. Therefore, the durability of the metal mold can beimproved.

According to the invention since the base member is formed bycold-working the raw material of high-tension steel, the base member,whose finish accuracy of a surface and whose dimensional accuracy areextremely precise, can be obtained. Therefore, when the base member isinserted into the metal mold for insert molding, an abnormal force isnot exerted on the metal mold from the base member. Thus, the durationof life of the metal mold can be improved. Further, the material ofhigh-tension steel is worked and hardened under the cold-working so thata satisfactory strength can be obtained. As a result, the base memberdoes not need to be subjected to a thermal treatment. Accordingly, thenumber of production process can be reduced. Further, since the basemember is formed with the high-tension steel, there is no fear of thehydrogen brittleness after the plating process, nor is the thermaltreatment for removing the hydrogen brittleness necessary. Consequently,the number of production processes can be further reduced, so that themanufacturing cost can be lowered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C show a seat belt hanging and holding member illustrated as afirst embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1A is a perspectiveview, FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along a line 1B--1B of FIG. 1Aand FIG. 1C is a front view showing a base member.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a first production process whenthe base member of the seat belt hanging and holding member ismanufactured.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a second production process whenthe base member of the seat belt hanging and holding member ismanufactured.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a third production process whenthe base member of the seat belt hanging and holding member ismanufactured.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a fourth production process whenthe base member of the seat belt hanging and holding member ismanufactured.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a fifth production process whenthe base member of the seat belt hanging and holding member ismanufactured.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a sixth production process whenthe base member of the seat belt hanging and holding member ismanufactured.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a seventh production process whenthe base member of the seat belt hanging and holding member ismanufactured.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a seat belt hanging and holding member illustratedas a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9A is aperspective view, and FIG. 9B is a sectional view taken along a line9B--9B of FIG. 9A.

FIGS. 10A-10C show protruding parts formed on the seat belt hanging andholding member, FIG. 10A is an explanatory view showing the firstsectional shape of the protruding part, FIG. 10B is an explanatory viewshowing the second sectional shape of the protruding part and FIG. 10Cis an explanatory view showing the third sectional shape of theprotruding part.

FIG. 11 shows a seat belt hanging and holding member illustrated as afirst alternative example of the second embodiment and an enlargedsectional view of a position corresponding to the part B of FIG. 9B.

FIGS. 12A-12C show the seat belt hanging and holding member of the firstalternative example, FIG. 12A is an enlarged sectional view of aposition corresponding to a section taken along a line 12A--12A of FIG.9A, and FIGS. 12B and 12C are enlarged sectional views illustratingexamples of forms of grooves between the protruding parts in FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a seat belt hanging and holding member shownas a second alternative example of the second embodiment.

FIGS. 14A-14C show a seat belt hanging and holding member as a thirdalternative example of the second embodiment, FIG. 14A is a front view,FIG. 14B is a sectional view taken along a line 14B--14B of FIG. 14A andFIG. 14C is an enlarged view showing a part D of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a seat belt hanging and holding memberillustrated as a fourth alternative example of the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows a seat belt hanging and holding member illustrated as athird embodiment of the present invention and a sectional view of aposition corresponding to the position taken along the line 1B--1B ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a fifth production process whenthe base member of the seat belt hanging and holding member ismanufactured.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing a sixth production process whenthe base member of the seat belt hanging and holding member ismanufactured.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing a seventh production process whenthe base member of the seat belt hanging and holding member ismanufactured.

FIGS. 20A and 20b show an alternative example of the base member of theseat belt hanging and holding member, FIG. 20A is a front view and FIG.20B is a sectional view.

FIGS. 21A-21C show a seat belt hanging and holding member illustrated asa fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 21A is a perspectiveview, FIG. 21B is a front view showing a base member and FIG. 21C is asectional view taken along a line 21C--21C of FIG. 21B.

FIG. 22 shows a seat belt hanging and holding member illustrated as afifth embodiment of the present invention, and a sectional viewcorresponding to the sectional position taken along the-line 21C--21C ofFIG. 21B.

FIGS. 23A-23C show a seat belt hanging and holding member illustrated asa sixth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 23A is a perspectiveview, FIG. 23B is a front view showing a base member and FIG. 23C is asectional view of the seat belt hanging and holding member in a positioncorresponding to a line 23C--23C of FIG. 23B.

FIG. 24A and 24b show a seat belt hanging and holding member illustratedas a seventh embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 24A is a frontview showing a base member and FIG. 24B is a sectional view of the seathanging and holding member in a position corresponding to a line24B--24B of FIG. 24A.

FIG. 25 is a front view showing the operational effect of the seat belthanging and holding member.

FIG. 26 is a front view showing the operational effect of the seat belthanging sling and holding member.

FIG. 27 shows a seat belt hanging and holding member illustrated as aeighth embodiment of the present invention and is a front view showing abase member.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of a seat belt hanging and holding memberillustrated as a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a front view showing a base member of a seat belt hanging andholding member illustrated as a tenth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 30 is a sectional view of the seat belt hanging-and holding membertaken along a line 30--30 of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a front view showing a base member of a seat belt hanging andholding member illustrated as an eleventh embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 32 is a front view showing a base member of a seat belt hanging andholding member illustrated as a twelfth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 33 is a front view showing a base member of a seat hanging andholding member illustrated as a thirteenth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 34 is a front view showing a base member of a seat belt hanging andholding member illustrated as a fourteenth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 35 is a sectional view showing the reinforcing part of the seatbelt hanging and holding member.

FIG. 36 is a sectional view showing an alternative example of thereinforcing part of the seat belt hanging and holding member.

FIGS. 37A-37D show a base member of a seat belt hanging and holdingmember illustrated as a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 37A is a front view, FIG. 37B is an enlarged view showing a steppart, FIG. 37C is an enlarged view showing a first alternative exampleof the step part and FIG. 37D is an enlarged view showing a secondalternative example of the step part.

FIG. 38 is a plan view of a high-tension steel plate showing first tothird processes for manufacturing the base member of the seat belthanging and holding member.

FIG. 39 is a plan view of the high-tension steel plate showing fourth tofifth processes for manufacturing the base member of the seat belthanging and holding member.

FIG. 40 is a plan view of the high-tension steel plate showing sixth toseventh processes for manufacturing the base member of the seat belthanging and holding member.

FIG. 41 is a plan view of the high-tension steel plate showing eighth totenth processes for manufacturing the base member of the seat belthanging and holding member.

FIG. 42 is a plan view of the high-tension steel plate showing tenth toeleventh processes for manufacturing the base member of the seat belthanging and holding member.

FIGS. 43A-43C are views for explaining the construction of a three-pointtype seat belt, FIG. 43A is a perspective view showing the wholeconstruction of the three-point type seat belt, FIG. 43B is aperspective view showing a conventional seat belt hanging and holdingmember, and FIG.43C is a sectional view taken along a line 43C--43C ofFIG. 43B.

FIG. 44 is a front view showing a conventional seat belt hanging andholding member.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory view showing the problem of the above seatbelt hanging and holding member.

FIG. 46 is an explanatory view showing the problem of the abovedescribed seat belt hanging and holding member.

FIG. 47 is a front view of a seat belt hanging and holding memberillustrated as an alternative conventional example.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Now, referring to the drawings, embodiments of the present inventionwill be described hereinafter.

Initially, the first embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 8. Herein, components common to the components of theconventional example illustrated in FIG. 43 are affixed by the samereference symbols--as those of the conventional example and anexplanation therefor will be omitted.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating the construction of a seatbelt hanging and holding member 10 attached to the third anchor 73 ofthe center pillar 3 of an automobile, as has been explained in FIG. 43A.FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along a line 1B--1B of the seat belthanging and holding member 10 shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C shows a frontview of only a base member 20 of the seat belt hanging and holdingmember 10 before a coating member 30 is mounted thereon. Further, FIGS.2 to 8 are explanatory views showing the respective production processesof the base member 20.

The seat belt hanging and holding member 10 is, as illustrated in FIGS.1A, 1B and 1C, manufactured by inserting and molding the coating member30 onto the base member 20. The base member 20 is formed by punching outa steel plate material (metal plate) having a thickness of about 3 mmand press-working it and comprises an attaching part 20A and a seat beltholding part 20B which are formed integrally with each other. The seatbelt holding part 20B, is, as shown in FIG. 1B, bent or folded by aprescribed angle (30° or thereabout) relative to the attaching part 20A.A bolt-inserting hole 21 is opened on the attaching part 20A in order toattach the seat belt hanging and holding member 10 to the third anchor73 (see FIG. 43A) of the center pillar 3 of the automobile. A slot 22 isopened in the seat belt holding part 20B.

The slot 22 has, as shown in FIG. 1B, one edge part 22a extending in itslongitudinal direction and which protrudes in an elliptical shape. Theedge part 22a is located at a position where a waving belt (seat belt)74 (see FIGS. 1B and 43A) is folded back and formed in a curved shapesmoothly turned along the direction in which the waving belt 74 isfolded back.

The coating member 30 is, in the present embodiment, provided in theperiphery of the slot 22 of the seat belt holding part 20B of the basemember 20 so as to cover the base member 20 by an insert-molding, andhas a part corresponding to the slot 22 which serves as a seat beltinserting hole 31 into which the waving belt 74 is inserted. In the caseof the conventional seat belt hanging and holding member 78 explained inFIG. 43C, the edge part 82a of the slot 82 is cut perpendicularly to theslot 82, so that the rectangular corner parts are formed in the edgepart 82a. As a result, large stress concentration has been generated onthe position corresponding to the edge part 82a in the coating member90. On the other hand, however, since the edge part 22a of the slot 22is curved in a curved surface, in the present embodiment, only anexceedingly small stress concentration is generated in the coatingmember 30 in contact with the edge part 22a.

Reference symbol T in the drawings designates protruding parts T whichprotrude at prescribed pitches in the circumference of the boltinserting hole 21. The protruding parts T serve as a rotation stopper ofa bolt (not shown) when the seat belt hanging and holding member 10 isattached to the third anchor 73 (see FIG. 43A) of the center pillar 3 ofthe automobile by means of the bolt and exhibit the effect of aconventional washer. As a result, since an ordinarily employed washer isnot needed when the seat belt hanging and holding member 10 is attachedto the anchor, the number of parts can be decreased.

Next, a method for manufacturing the part of the slot 22 in the basemember 20 will be described, referring to FIGS. 2 to 8.

Initially, in a first process as shown in FIG. 2, a first lower hole S1for forming the slot 22 on a steel plate S as a material of the basemember 20 by using a lower metal mold K1 and a punch K2. Then, in asecond process as illustrated in FIG. 3, a circular arc shaped roundnessS1a is formed from the upper-part of the first lower hole S1 to theupper surface of the steel plate S by using a lower metal mold K3 and anupper metal mold K4. Further, in a third process as illustrated in FIG.4, a circular arc shaped roundness S1b is formed from the lower part ofthe first lower hole S1 to the lower surface of the steel plate S byusing a lower metal mold K5 and an upper metal mold K6.

Thereafter, in a fourth process as seen in FIG. 5, the part of the firstlower hole S1 is curved toward the upper part of the steel plate S sothat a second lower hole S2 is formed. Then, in a fifth process asillustrated in FIG. 6, the part of the second lower hole S2 protrudingupward is face-pressed downward by using a lower metal mold K9, an uppermetal mold K10 and an intermediate metal mold K11, so that protrudingparts S3 and S4 are formed which have substantially the same height fromthe upper and lower surfaces of the steel plate S.

Further, in a sixth process as shown in FIG. 7, the protruding part S3which protrudes upward is machined so as to be formed in an entirelysmoothly curved surface by employing a lower metal mold K12 and an uppermetal mold K13. At this time, the surface of the second lower hole S2 isalso neatly machined. Then, in a seventh process as shown in FIG. 8, theprotruding part S4 which protrudes downward is machined so as to beformed in an entirely smoothly curved surface by using a lower metalmold K14, and an upper metal mold K15. Also at this time, the surface ofthe second lower hole S2 is neatly machined. Thus, the slot 22 is formedby the second lower hole S2 being machined in such a way. Further, theedge pat 22a is formed with the protruding parts S3 and S4 so as toprotrude in an elliptical shape relative to the steel plate S.

In such a manner, the base member 20 having the slot 22 is made from thesteel plate S. In this case, the base member 20 is formed in accordancewith a cold-working method. Although the method for manufacturing thebase member 20 has been described by dividing it into the sevenprocesses illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 8, as mentioned above, in practice,the method is divided into more processes and utilizes a technique forforming the base member while the steel plate is gradually deformed.

According to the seat belt hanging and holding member 10 constructed asdescribed above, if the waving belt 74 is in a state where it can besupplied the waving belt 74 can be slidingly supplied while theintermediate part of the waving belt 74 is folded back on the coatingmember 30, by pulling the waving belt 74. When the waving belt 74 isstopped from being supplied, however, a force for pulling the wavingbelt 74 is directly exerted on the coating member 30.

The force directly applied to the coating member 30 is directly exertedon the edge part 22a of the slot 22 of the base member 20 through thecoating member 30. The coating member 30 undergoes a reaction force, asits reaction, of the same magnitude as that applied to the edge part22a, from the edge part 22a of the slot 22. However, since the edge part22a corresponding to at least the position in the slot 22 where the seatbelt is folded back is formed in a curved surface smoothly curved alongthe direction in which the waving belt 74 is folded back, the stressconcentration of the coating member 30 in contact with the edge part 22aof the slot is significantly lowered. Therefore, even if the coatingmember 30 according to the present invention undergoes a force from theedge part 22a of the slot 22, large stress is not generated in thecoating member 30, so that its strength is substantially more than aconventional one. Accordingly, the more the strength is increased, themore the thickness of the coating member 30 can be reduced, so that thematerial cost of the coating member 30 can be lowered without loweringsafety owing to the deterioration of the strength of the coating member30. Thus, the cost can be lowered.

Further, since the edge part 22a of the slot 22 protrudes to one surfaceside and to the other surface side of the base member 20, the radius ofcurvature of the edge part 22a can be increased. Therefore, the stressconcentration of the coating member 30 in contact with the edge part 22acan be decreased. In addition, since the face pressure exerted on thecoating member 30 from the edge part 22a can be decreased, a forceapplied to the coating member 30 from the base member 20 can be reduced.

Additionally, since the thickness of the coating member 30 is set byemploying an excessive safety factor, the coating member 30 should notbe damaged. If the coating member 30 should be damaged, however, thewaving belt 74 would not collide with the edge part 22a of the slot 22so that it would be cut, because the edge part 22a in the slot 22corresponding to the position where the waving belt 74 is folded back isformed in a curved surface. In other words, if the coating member 30should be broken, safety by the waving belt 74 could be ensured.

Further, if the coating member should be damaged, the waving belt 74would not be cut. Therefore, the coating member 30 may be formed in athinner shape.

Now, referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a second embodiment of the presentinvention will be described. FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing theconstruction of a seat belt hanging member 10 of the second embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 9B is a sectional view taken along a line9B--9B of FIG. 9A. Herein, components common to those in the firstembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C are affixed by the same referencesymbols as those in FIGS. 1A-1C and an explanation therefor is omitted.The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in thatprotruding parts 30a and 30b are formed on the coating member 30.

That is, a plurality of protruding parts 30a and 30b are formed in thepositions corresponding to the parallel edge parts 22a and 22b (an edgenear the bolt inserting hole 21 is designated by the reference symbol22b and an edge remote from the inserting hole 21 is designated by thereference symbol 22a) in the slot 22, as seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Theseprotruding parts 30a and 30b are formed in parallel with the directionin which the waving belt 74 is inserted. In the second embodiment, abouteleven lower protruding parts 30a--are formed and about nine upperprotruding parts 30b are formed.

Although the protruding parts 30b are provided on the upper side of aseat belt inserting hole 31, in the second embodiment, these protrudingparts 30b may be saved, since the waving belt does not always slide onthe protruding parts 30b.

FIG. 10A shows an example of the sectional shape of the protruding parts30a or 30b illustrated in FIG. 9A. The protruding parts 30a and 30bshown in the above example comprise a plurality of circular arc shapedprotrusions adjacent to one another. The width W1 of each protrudingpart 30a or 30b is approximately 4 mm, the height H1 thereof isapproximately 0.8 mm and the radius R1 of the circular arc isapproximately 2 mm.

FIG. 10B shows an alternative example of the sectional shape of theprotruding parts 30a and 30b shown in FIG. 9A. The protruding parts30a-2 and 30b-2 illustrated in the present example comprise circular arcshaped crests and troughs which are alternately arranged. A pitch W2from a trough to a trough is about 4 mm, height H2 is about 0.8 mm andeach radius R2 or R3 of the crest or and the trough is about 1 mm.

FIG. 10C shows a still another example of the sectional shape of theprotruding parts 30a and 30b illustrated in FIG. 9A. The protrudingparts 30a-3 and 30b-3 shown in the present example comprise a pluralityof protrusions formed in trapezoidal shapes which are adjacent to oneanother. The width W3 of each protrusion 30a-3 or 30b-3 is about 4 mm,and the height H3 thereof is about 0.8 mm. These protruding parts 30a-3and 30b-3 can be also formed by forming V-grooves 30c on the flatcoating member 30.

As illustrated above, the protruding parts 30a and 30b are formed in theseat belt inserting hole 31 of the coating member 30, so that thecontact area between the coating member 30 and the waving belt 74 isdecreased, and therefore, a frictional force exerted on the waving belt74 can be decreased. As a result, a resistance when the waving belt 74moves in the slot 22 is reduced, and a lubricant such as an aromaticagent is hardly peeled off from the waving belt 74, so that therescarcely arises a failure to wind the waving belt on its retractor (notshown).

Further, since the protruding parts 30a and 30b are extended in thedirection along which the waving belt 74 slides, the waving belt 74 isnot suddenly biased to one side of the slot 22 even when the supply ofthe waving belt 74 is stopped upon collision of the automobile.Therefore, a large friction is not instantaneously generated between thewaving belt 74 and the coating member 30, so that the temperature of apart between the waving belt 74 and the coating member 30 becomes high.Thus, the quality of the waving belt 74 is not deteriorated and afailure to wind the waving belt 74 on the retractor can be preventedfrom occurring.

Further, since both the protruding parts 30a and 30b or only theprotruding parts 30a are provided on the coating member 30, dusts or thelike drop into the groove parts between the protruding parts 30a, orbetween the protruding parts 30b. Thus, the part of the coating member30 which abuts against the waving belt 74 is hardly stained and thegeneration of static electricity can be suppressed (if a staticelectricity eraser is added to the coating member 30, the generation ofthe static electricity can be still more suppressed). Accordingly, thewaving belt 74 may easily move in the seat belt inserting hole 31. As aresult, the waving belt 74 can be smoothly pulled out from theretractor, or wound on the retractor.

FIG. 11 shows a seat belt hanging and holding member illustrated as afirst alternative example of the second embodiment and is an enlargedsectional view of a part corresponding to a part of the seat belthanging and holding member 10 shown in FIG. 9B. On the coating member 30illustrated in FIG. 11, an elongated groove 30d, is provided, whichextends in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of theprotruding part 30a. Only a single groove 30d is provided in a partopposed to the folded-back part 74a of the waving belt 74 inserted intothe seat belt inserting hole 31. In this case, a plurality of grooves30d' may be provided in parallel with the groove 30d, as shown by dashedlines in FIG. 11. The above mentioned grooves 30d and 30d' can reducethe friction caused between the waving belt 74-and the coating member 30made of a synthetic resin.

FIG. 12A shows a seat belt hanging and holding member 10 illustrated inFIG. 11 and is an enlarged sectional view of a part corresponding to asectional view taken along a line 12A--12A of FIG. 9A. FIGS. 12B and 12Care enlarged sectional views showing examples in which the forms ofgrooves 30e, i.e. 30e-1, 30e-2, between the protruding parts 30a in FIG.12A are modified, i.e. 30a-1 in FIG. 12B and 30a-2 in FIG. 12C.

FIG. 13 shows the construction of a seat belt hanging and holding member10 illustrated as a second alternative example of the second embodiment.The construction of the seat belt hanging and holding member 10 issubstantially the same as that of the seat belt hanging and holdingmember 10 described in FIG. 9A. A difference therebetween resides onlyin that elongated grooves 30f are formed in the vicinity of both the endparts of the protruding parts 30a of the coating member 30 in theirextending direction, and along the longitudinal direction of the wavingbelt 74. The elongated grooves 30f are also designed as a measure(referred to as a gum-up means) for lowering the friction between thewaving belt 74 and the coating member 30.

FIG. 14A is a front view of a seat belt hanging and holding member 10illustrated as a third alternative example of the second embodiment.FIG. 14B is a sectional view taken along a line 14B--14B of FIG. 14A. Inthe third alternative example, the protruding parts 30b are not providedin the upper side of the seat belt inserting hole 31 and the protrudingparts 30a are formed only in the lower side. Further, in the presentexample, the coating member 30-1 is formed substantially in a U shape soas to meet the shape of the slot 22-1 of the base member 20-1. Inaddition, as shown in FIG. 14B, a single groove 30d is provided in apart opposed to the folded-back part 74a (see FIG. 11) of the wavingbelt 74, in the lower side part of the seat belt-inserting hole 31.

FIG. 14C is a partly enlarged view for explaining the shape of a part ofFIG. 14A and describes specifically the shapes of recessed holes 30grespectively provided in the coating member 30 which correspond to boththe end parts of the slot 22. The width W6 of the entrance part of therecessed hole 30g is 2 to 3 mm, the central width W4+W5 of the recessedhole 30g is approximately 7 mm, the radius R5 of the inside circular arcof the recessed hole 30g is about 6 mm, and the radius R6 of the outsidecircular arc of the recessed hole 30g is about 6 mm. Further, the radiusR7 of an inside circular arc in the entrance part of the recessed hole30g is about 7 mm.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a seat belt hanging and holding member10 illustrated as a fourth alternative example of the second embodiment.The same components as those of the seat belt hanging and holding member10 of the second embodiment explained in FIG. 9A are affixed by the samereference symbols and the explanation thereof will be omitted. The seatbelt hanging and holding member 10 of the fourth alternative example isdifferent from the seat belt hanging and holding member 10 illustratedin FIG. 9A only in that a plurality of dome shaped protrusions 30h aresuccessively arranged along the longitudinal direction of the wavingbelt 74, in the lower side part of the seat belt inserting hole 31, inplace of a plurality of protruding parts provided along the longitudinaldirection of the waving belt 74.

When a plurality of dome shaped protrusions 30h are successivelyarranged on the coating member 30 in such a manner, the contact areabetween the waving belt 74 and the coating member 30 can be similarlydecreased and a friction to the waving belt 74 can be lowered.Consequently, resistance when the waving belt 74 moves in the seat beltinserting hole 31 is decreased, the aromatic agent is hardly separatedfrom the waving belt 74 and a trouble to wind the belt on the retractorhardly arises. It is to be understood that the shape of the protrusion30h is not limited to a spherical shape.

Now, with reference to FIGS. 16 to 19, a third embodiment of the presentinvention will be described. Herein, components common to the firstembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 are affixed by the same symbols asthose employed in the first embodiment and the explanation thereof willbe simplified. FIG. 16 shows a seat belt hanging and holding member 10of the third embodiment of the present invention and a sectional viewcorresponding to a sectional view taken along a line 1B--1B of FIG. 1and FIGS. 17 to 19 are explanatory views for explaining only processesdifferent from the production processes shown in FIGS. 2 to 8. The thirdembodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the edge part22a-1 protrudes only to one surface side of the seat belt holding part20B.

Specifically stated, the edge part 22a-1 protrudes only to one surfaceside of the seat belt holding part 20B, and the side to which the edgepart protrudes and the side to which the edge part does not protrude aresimilarly formed in a smoothly curved surface along the direction inwhich the waving belt 74 is deflected. In the present embodiment, theedge part 22a-1 is formed in the same shape throughout the periphery ofthe slot 22.

The seat belt hanging and holding member 10 constructed as describedabove is manufactured in accordance with processes illustrated in FIGS.17 to 19. Preprocesses of FIG. 17 are common to the respective processesshown in FIGS. 2 to 5. Namely, the part of the first lower hole S1 iscurved above the steel plate S in accordance with the fourth processshown in FIG. 5 so that the second lower hole S2 is formed. Then, in afifth process shown in FIG. 17, the part of the second lower hole S2protruding upward is face-pressed downward by using a lower metal moldK15 and an upper metal mold K16, so that a protruding part S3 protrudingwith a substantially constant height from the upper surface of the steelplate S is formed.

Further, in a sixth process as illustrated FIG. 18, an edge S5 oppositeto the protruding part S3 protruding upward is machined so as to form asmoothly curved surface by employing a lower metal mold K17 and an uppermetal mold K18. At this time, the surface of the second lower hole S2 isalso neatly finished. Then, in a seventh process as illustrated in FIG.19, the protruding part S3 protruding upward is finished so as to forman entirely smoothly curved surface by using a lower metal mold K19 andan upper metal mold K20. Also, at this time, the surface of the secondlower hole S2 is cleanly finished. Thus, the slot 22 is formed by thesecond lower hole S2 finished in such a way. Still further, the edgepart 22a-1 protrudes in the shape of a smoothly curved surface on theupper surface side of the steel plate S by means of the protruding partS3 and the edge S5.

The seat belt hanging and holding member 10 constructed as mentionedabove exhibits similar operational effects to those of the firstembodiment.

Although the edge part 22a-1 is formed so as to protrude in anelliptical shape in the first and second embodiments, the edge part22a-1 may be formed so as to protrude in a circular shape or in othershapes of a smoothly carved surface. Additionally, although the edgepart 22a-1 protruding in an elliptical shape is formed in all theperiphery of the slot 22 in the above embodiments, it is to be notedthat the edge part 22a-2 formed in such a fashion can be provided onlyin a position corresponding to a part on which the waving belt 74 isfolded back (see FIG. 20A). Further, although the edge part 22adescribed in the third embodiment is also formed throughout theperiphery of the slot 22, the edge part 22a may be provided only in apart on which the waving belt 74 is folded back (see 22a-2 of FIGS. 20Aand 20B.

Next, referring to FIGS. 21A-21C, a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described hereinafter. Herein, components common tothose of the conventional example are affixed by the same referencesymbols as those of the conventional example and the explanation thereofwill be omitted.

FIG. 21A is a perspective view showing the construction of a seat belthanging and holding member 10 attached to the third anchor 73 of thecenter pillar 3 of the automobile, which has been described in FIG. 43A.FIG. 21B is a front view showing the base member 20 of the seat belthanging and holding member 10. FIG. 21C is a sectional view taken alonga line 21C--21C of FIG. 21B.

The seat belt hanging and holding member 10 is, as illustrated in therespective figures of FIG. 21, formed by inserting and molding a coatingmember 30 to the base member 20. The base member 20 is formed bypunching out a steel plate (metal plate) material having thickness of 3mm or thereabout and press-working it and comprises an attaching part20A and a seat belt holding part 20B. The seat belt holding part 20B is,as illustrated in FIG. 21C, bent by a prescribed angle (about 30°)relative to the attaching part 20A. On the attaching part 20A, a boltinserting hole 21 is opened. On the seat belt holding part 20B, the slot22 is opened.

The slot 22 is, as shown in FIG. 21B, provided with long edge parts22a-2 and 22b-3 opposed to each other and short edge parts 22a and 22dformed as a curved surface so as to be connected to both the end partsof these long edge parts 22a-3 and 22b-3. The respective long edge parts22a and 22b are punched out substantially at right angles with thesurface of the base member 20. Further, the short edge parts 22c and 22dare, as illustrated in FIGS. 21B and 21C, formed in an elliptical shapein section by protruding parts 22e respectively to one surface side andthe other surface side of the base member 20.

Specifically stated, the short edge parts 22c and 22d are formed in theshape of a smoothly curved surface along the direction in which thewaving belt 74 is deflected, by the protruding parts 22e which protrudetoward one surface side and the other surface side of the base member20. Additionally, in the present embodiment, the respective protrudingparts 22e are also continuously formed at both the end parts of the longedge parts 22a-3 and 22b-3 which are adjacent to the short edge parts22c and 22d. That is, the respective protruding parts 22e are formed inthe parts to which the waving belt 74 is concentrically gathered whenthe waving belt 74 is abruptly pulled or the like.

Besides, the respective protruding parts 22e are formed in accordancewith a cold-working method by bending a part of the base member 20 toone surface side, moving the bent part to the other surface side andshaping it in the shape of a curved surface. Accordingly, the respectiveprotruding parts 22e extend a large amount from the base member 20 andare excellent in their strength.

The coating member 30 is formed in accordance with an insert-moldingmethod so as to cover the periphery of the slot 22 of the base member 20and has a part opened corresponding to the slot 22 which serves as aseat belt inserting hole 31. The seat belt-inserting hole 31 has a partalong the long edge part 22a-3 remote from the bolt-inserting hole 31,which serves as a folding-back and sliding part 31a on which the wavingbelt 74 is folded back and slidingly supported.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 21A, protrusions T protrude atprescribed intervals in the periphery of the bolt-inserting hole 21.These protrusions T serve as a rotation stopper of a bolt when the seatbelt hanging and holding member 10 is attached to the anchor 73 (seeFIG. 43A) of the center pillar 3 of the automobile by means of a bolt(not shown) and achieve the effect of a conventional washer. As aresult, since an ordinarily used washer is not needed when the seat belthanging and holding member 10 is attached to the anchor, the number ofparts can be decreased.

In the seat belt hanging and holding member 10 constructed as describedabove, since the short edge parts 22c and 22d of the slot 22 and the endparts of the long edge parts 22a-3 and 22b-3 adjacent to them are formedin the shape of a smoothly curved surface along the direction in whichthe waving belt 74 is folded back, the stress concentration of thecoating member 30 in contact with the short edge parts 22c and 22d, andthe end parts of the long edge parts 22a and 22b can be extremelyreduced. Therefore, even when the waving belt 74 gathers to, forexample, the short edge 22c side of the slot 22, a force exerted on thecoating member 30 from the short edge part 22c can be distributed. Thus,the force exerted on the coating member 30 from the base member 20 canbe reduced.

Further, since the protruding parts 22e are formed in the short edgeparts 22c and 22d, and the end parts of the long edge parts 22a-3 and22b-3 adjacent thereto, a face pressure acting on the coating member 30from the short edge parts 22c and 22d and the end parts of the long edgeparts 22a-3 and 22b-3 can be decreased. Therefore, the force exerted onthe coating member 30 from the base member 20 can be still moredecreased.

Now, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described, withreference to FIG. 22. Herein, components common to those of the fourthembodiment seen in FIGS. 21A-21C are affixed by the same referencesymbols as those of FIGS. 21A-21C and the explanation thereof will beomitted. The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment inthat protruding parts 22e-1 extend only to one surface side of the basemember 20.

The above mentioned protruding parts 22e-1 are, similar to the fourthembodiment, formed so as to be connected from both the end parts of thelong edge parts 22a-3 and 22b-3 to the whole parts of the short edgeparts 22c and 22d. The parts having the protruding parts 22e are formedin the shape of a smoothly curved surface along the direction in whichthe waving belt 74 is deflected. The protruding parts 22e-1 are formedin accordance with a cold-working method by bending a part of the basemember 20 to one surface side and shaping the bent part in a curvedsurface. Thus, the protruding parts 22e-1 extend a large amount from thebase member 20 and is excellent in view of strength.

The seat belt hanging and holding member 10 constructed as stated abovealso attains similar operational effects to those of the fourthembodiment.

Although, in the fourth and fifth embodiments, the protruding parts22e-1 are formed on the short edge parts 22c and 22d or the end parts ofthe long edge parts 22a-3 and 22b-3 continued thereto to which thewaving belt 74 concentrically comes together when the waving belt 74 issuddenly pulled or the like, it is to be noted that the short edge parts22c and 22d or the end parts of the long edge parts 22a-3 and 22b-3connected thereto can be formed in the shape of a smoothly curvedsurface simply along the direction in which the waving belt 74 is foldedback without providing the protruding parts 22e-1 in this way. In thiscase, since the radius of curvature of the curved surface is decreased,when the swelling parts 22e are not provided, the stress concentrationof the coating member 30 coming into contact with the short edge parts22c, 22d or the like is increased. Besides, a face pressure acting onthe coating member 30 from the short edge parts 22c, 22d or the like isalso increased. Therefore, it is desirable to provide the protrudingparts 22e on the short edges 22c, 22d or the like.

It is also apparent that the short edges 22c and 22d or the end parts ofthe long edge parts 22a-3 and 22b-3 may not be provided with-theprotruding parts 22e-1 nor be formed in the shape of a curved surface ina part to which the waving belt 74 does not concentrically gather.

Now, referring to FIGS. 23A-23C, a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described below. Herein, components common to those ofa conventional example illustrated in FIGS. 43A-43C and 47 are affixedby the same reference symbols as those in these figures and theexplanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 23A is a perspective view showing the construction of a seat belthanging and holding member 10 attached to the third anchor 73 describedin connection with FIG. 43B. FIG. 23B is a front view showing the basemember 20 of the seat belt hanging and holding member 10. FIG. 23C is asectional view of the seat belt hanging and holding member 10 takenalong a line 23C--23C of FIG. 23B.

The seat belt hanging and holding member 10 is, as illustrated in FIGS.23A to 23C, by inserting and molding (injection molding) the coatingmember 30 to the base member 20. The base member 20 is formed bypunching out a steel plate (metal plate) material having thickness of 3mm or thereabout and press-working it and comprises an attaching part20A and a seat belt holding part 20B. The attaching part 20A and theseat belt holding part 20B are, as seen in FIG. 23C, bent by prescribedangle (about 30°) with respect to a bending part L. As illustrated inFIG. 23B, a bolt-inserting hole 21 is opened on the attaching part 20A,and a slot 22 into which the waving belt (seat belt) 74 is inserted isopened on the seat belt holding part 20B.

The slot 22 comprises linear long edge parts 22a-4 and 22b-4 opposed toeach other and curved short edge parts 22c-4 and 22d-4 formed so as toconnect together both the end parts of the long edge parts 22a-4 and22b-4. The slot 22 comprising the respective long edge parts 22a-4 and22b-4, and the respective short edge parts 22c-4 and 22d-4 is, as seenin FIG. 23C, punched out substantially at right angles with the surfaceof the base member 20.

The coating member 30 is inserted and molded to the base member 20 so asto cover the periphery of the slot 22 of the base member 20 and has aseat belt-inserting hole 31 opened at a part corresponding to the slot22. Further, the seat belt inserting hole 31 is provided with a partalong the long edge part 22a-4 located in the side remote from thebolt-inserting hole 21 as a folding back and sliding part 31a forfolding back and slidingly supporting the waving belt 74.

As illustrated in FIGS. 23A to 23C, protrusions T protrude at prescribedpitches in the periphery of the bolt inserting hole 21. Theseprotrusions T serve as a rotation stopper of a bolt (not shown) when theseat belt hanging and holding member 10 is attached to the third anchor73 (see FIG. 43A) of the center pillar 3 of the automobile by means of abolt and exhibits the effect of a conventional washer. Consequently,when the seat belt hanging and holding member 10 is attached to theanchor, an ordinarily employed washer is not required, so that thenumber of parts can be decreased.

Additionally stated, the base member 20 is, as seen in FIGS. 23A to 23B,provided with a step part 24 formed so as to be lower by one step thanan outer peripheral edge part 23 in the boundary part 23a between theouter peripheral edge part 23 and the coating member 30. The step part24 is formed substantially at right angles with the outer peripheraledge part 23, and so as to have such a height that the surface of thecoating member 30 is substantially flush with the surface of the outerperipheral edge part 23. In other words, the outer peripheral edge part23 of the base member 20 has a part, located in the coating member 30side, which is formed lower by the thickness of the coating member 30 byproviding the step part 24.

In the seat belt hanging and holding member 10 constructed as mentionedabove, the base member 20 is initially inserted into a metal mold, andthen, the metal mold is closed. Then, a space corresponding to thecoating member 30 in the metal mold is injection-filled with a resin.Thus, the coating member 30 is molded integrally with the base member20. The coating member 30 is formed integrally with the base member 20in accordance with a so-called insert-molding method.

Since the outer peripheral edge part 23 of the base member 20 isprovided with the step part 24 set lower by one step in the coatingmember 30 side, the resin can be prevented, upon insert-molding, fromleaking along the outer peripheral edge 23 from the boundary part 23a.Accordingly, burs formed with the coating member 30 can be preventedfrom being produced in the boundary part 23a between the base member 20and the coating member 30.

Besides, although the leakage of the resin as mentioned above has beenconventionally prevented by setting a metal closing force to a highlevel, the metal closing force does not need to be set to such a highlevel, since the leakage of the resin can be prevented as stated above.Thus, the durability of the metal mold can be improved.

Now, referring to FIGS. 24A to 26, a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention will be described. Herein, components common to those shown inthe sixth embodiment are affixed by the same reference symbols as thosein the sixth embodiment and the explanation thereof will be omitted. Theseventh embodiment is different from the sixth embodiment in that theend parts of a slot 22 in its longitudinal direction protrude to onesurface side and the other surface side of the base member and areformed in the shape of a smoothly curved surface along the direction inwhich the waving belt 74 (seat belt) is deflected.

Specifically stated, short edge parts 22c-5 and 22d-5 are, asillustrated in FIGS. 24A and 24B, formed in an elliptical shape insection by forming protruding parts 22e which respectively extend to onesurface side and the other surface side of the base member 20.

Further, in the present embodiment, the respective protruding parts22e-5 are continuously formed similarly at both the end parts of longedge parts 22a-5 and 22b-5 adjacent to the short edge parts 22c-5 and22d-5. That is, the respective swelling parts 22e are, as seen in FIG.26, formed on the end parts of the slot 22 to which the waving belt 74is concentrically gathered, for example, when the waving belt 74 isabruptly pulled or the like.

The respective protruding parts 22e-5 are formed in accordance with acold-working method by bending a part of the base member 20 to onesurface side, moving the bent part to the other surface side and shapingit in a curved surface. Accordingly, the respective protruding parts22e-5 from the base member 20 and are excellent in view of strength.

The seat belt hanging and holding member 10 constructed as mentionedabove is formed so as to form the base member 20 integrally with thecoating member 30 in accordance with an insert-molding method similar tothe sixth embodiment. In addition, for example, when the waving belt 74is suddenly pulled or the like, the waving belt 74 may slip to one shortedge part 22c-5 side (or the other short edge part 22d-5 side), as shownin FIG. 25, or concentrically come to one short edge part 22c-5 side (orthe other short edge part 22d-5 side), as shown in FIG. 26. In thiscase, the force of the waving belt 74 is concentrically exerted on oneshort edge part 22c-5 side.

However, since the short edge parts 22c-5 and 22d-5, and the end partsof the long edge parts 22a-5 and 22b-5 adjacent thereto are formed inthe shape of a smoothly curved surface by providing the protruding parts22e-5, an extremely small stress concentration is only produced in thecoating member 30 coming into contact with these short edge parts 22c-5,22d-5 or the like. Therefore, if the force of the waving belt 74concentrically gathers to, for example, one short edge part 22c-5 sideof the slot 22, the force applied to the coating member 30 from the oneshort edge 22c-5 side will be distributed and not be concentrated to onepart. Thus, the strength of the coating member 30 can be increasedwithout increasing the thickness or strength of a resin.

Further, since the contact area between the short edge parts 22c-5,22d-5 or the like and the coating member 30 is increased by providingthe protruding parts 22e-5, a face pressure exerted on the coatingmember 30 from the short edge parts 22c-5, 22d-5 or the like can bedecreased. Therefore, with the above described matter taken intoconsideration, if the force of the waving belt 74 is concentricallygathered to the one short edge part 22c-5 side, the force applied to thecoating member 30 from the base member 20 can be reduced. That is, thestrength of the coating member 30 can be increased without increasingthe thickness or strength of the resin.

If the force of the waving belt 74 should concentrically gather to, forexample, the one short edge part 22c-5 side, so that the coating member30 would be broken, the waving belt 74 would come into contact with theone short edge part 22c-5 or the like and then it would not be brokenthereby, since the one short edge part 22c-5 or the like is formed inthe shape of a smoothly curved surface along the direction in which thewaving belt 74 is folded back by forming the protruding part 22e.Besides, the seventh embodiment achieves similar operational effects tothose of the sixth embodiment.

Additionally stated, in the present embodiment, the position of theabove described bending part L is, as seen in FIGS. 24A to 26, aposition evading the protruding parts 22e formed in the short edge parts22c-5 and 22d-5. Accordingly, when the base member 20 is bent by aprescribed angle with respect to the bending part L, it can be bent witha pressing force equal to that of the sixth embodiment. This is the casein other embodiments described above and below.

Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described byreferring to FIG. 27. Herein components common to those of the seventhembodiment seen in FIGS. 24A to 26 are affixed by the same referencesymbols as those in these figures and the explanation thereof will beomitted. The difference between the eighth embodiment and the seventhembodiment resides in that a protruding part 22e is provided throughoutthe entire periphery of a slot 22.

Namely, in the slot 22, the protruding part 22e-6 similar to thatillustrated in FIG. 24B is formed on one surface side and the othersurface side of the base member 20 throughout all the peripheries of thelong edge parts 22a-5 and 22b-5 and the short edge parts 22c-5 and22d-5.

According to the seat belt hanging member 10 constructed as describedabove, since the whole part of the slot 22 comes into smooth contactwith the coating member 30, a stress concentration can be decreased inall the parts of the coating member 30 in contact with the slot 22.Further, since a face pressure can be lowered in all the parts where theslot 22 comes into contact with the coating member 22 by forming theprotruding part 22e. Therefore, strength can be improved, because ofreasons the same as those of the seventh embodiment, in all the parts ofthe coating member 30 along the slot 22. Additionally, if the coatingmember 30 should be broken, the waving belt 74 could be prevented frombeing damaged as a result of its abutting against the slot 22, since thewhole part of the slot 22 is formed in the shape of a smoothly curvedsurface along the direction in which the waving belt 74 is folded back.Besides, the eighth embodiment exhibits operational effects similar tothose-of the sixth and seventh embodiments.

Now, referring to FIG. 28, a ninth embodiment of the present inventionwill be described hereinafter. Herein, components common to those of theseventh and eighth embodiments shown in FIGS. 24A to 27 are affixed bythe same reference numerals as those of the above embodiments and theexplanation thereof will be omitted. The ninth embodiment is differentfrom the seventh and eighth embodiments in that the end parts of theslot 22 in its longitudinal direction or the whole periphery of the slot22 extend to one surface side of the base member 20 and are formed inthe shape of a smoothly curved surface along the direction in which thewaving belt (seat belt) 74 is deflected.

That is, the short edge parts 22c-5 and 22d-5 and the long edge parts22a-5 and 22b-5 adjacent thereto, of the slot 22, or the whole peripheryof the slot 22 are provided with the protruding parts 22e-1 protrudingmerely to one surface side of the base member 20. The parts providedwith the protruding parts 22e-1 are formed so as to have smoothly curvedsurfaces along the direction in which the waving belt 74 is folded back.Further, the protruding parts 22e-1 are formed in accordance with acold-working method by bending a part of the base member 20 to onesurface side and shaping the bent part in a curved surface. Accordingly,the protruding parts 22e extend a large amount from the base member 20and are excellent in their strength.

The seat belt hanging and holding member 10 constructed as mentionedabove achieves operational effects similar to those of the sixth toeighth embodiments.

Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described withreference to FIGS. 29 to 30. Herein, components common to those of thesixth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 23A-23C are affixed by the samereference symbols as those of FIGS. 23A-23C and the explanation thereofwill be omitted. The tenth embodiment is different from the sixthembodiment in that the end parts in the longitudinal direction of theslot 22 are largely opened.

Specifically stated, the short edge parts 22c-8 and 22d-8 of the slot 22are formed by circular arcs respectively having a diameter larger thanthe dimension between the long edge parts 22a-8 and 22b-8. The shortedge parts 22c-8 and 22d-8 maybe formed in the shape of an ellipticallycurved surface or in other shapes with a curved surface. In this case,when the short edge parts are formed, for example, in the shape of anelliptically curved surface, the ellipse may be preferably disposedlongitudinally as in FIG. 29.

In addition, the short edge parts 22c-8 and 22d-8 of the slot 22 and thelong edge parts 22a-8 and 22b-8 adjacent thereto, or the whole peripheryof the slot 22 are formed so as to be smoothly curved along thedirection in which the waving belt 74 is deflected.

In the case of the-seat belt hanging and holding member 10 constructedas described above, the radius of curvature of the short edge parts22c-8 and 22d-8 is increased, so that the stress concentration of theshort edge parts 22c-8 and 22d-8 can be mitigated. Therefore, stressgenerated in the short edge parts 22c-8 and 22d-8 can be reduced and thestrength of the base member 20 can be substantially improved.Additionally, since a space between the long edge parts 22a-8 and 22b-8can be narrowed, the width of a part extending along the long edge part22a-8, that is, the width of a part for supporting the waving belt 74can be increased. Consequently, the strength of the short edge parts22c-8 and 22d-8 can be improved relative to a force from the waving belt74 and the part extending along the one long edge part 22a-8 can be alsoimproved.

Further, since the short edge parts 22c-8 and 22d-8 of the slot 22 andthe long edge parts 22a-8 and 22b-8 adjacent thereto, or the wholeperiphery of the slot 22 come into smooth contact with the coatingmember 30, stress concentration can be reduced in all the parts of thecoating member in contact with the slot 22. Accordingly, strength can beimproved in all the parts of the coating member 30 along the slot 22,because of reasons similar to those of the seventh embodiment. If thecoating member 30 should be broken, the waving belt 74 would beprevented from being damaged when the waving belt 74 abuts the slot 22,since the slot 22 is formed in the shape of a smoothly curved surfacealong the direction in which the waving belt 74 is folded back. Besides,the tenth embodiment can realize other operational effects similar tothose of the sixth and seventh embodiments.

Now, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be describedbelow by referring to FIG. 31. Herein, components common to those of thetenth embodiment seen in FIG. 29 are affixed by the same referencesymbol as those of the tenth embodiment and the explanation thereof willbe omitted. The difference between the eleventh embodiment and the tenthembodiment resides in that the protruding part 22e-8 is provided alongthe one long edge part 22a-8 of the slot 22.

Specifically, the swelling part 22e-8 as shown in FIG. 31 is provided inthe long edge part 22a-8 of the slot 22 in the side on which the wavingbelt 74 is folded back.

In the next place, with reference to FIG. 32, a twelfth embodiment ofthe invention will be described hereinafter. Herein, components commonto those of the tenth embodiment shown in FIG. 29 are affixed by thesame reference numerals as those of the tenth embodiment and theexplanation thereof will be omitted. The twelfth embodiment is differentfrom the tenth embodiment in that the parts 22e-9 are provided in theshort edge parts 22c-8 and 22d-8 of the slot 22 and the parts of thelong edge parts 22a-b and 22b-b adjacent thereto. Further, theprotruding parts 22e-9 are formed with the material similar to thatillustrated in FIG. 24A or FIG. 28.

Now, viewing FIG. 33, a thirteenth embodiment of the present inventionwill be described in the following. Herein, components common to thoseof the tenth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 29 are affixed by the samereference symbols as those of the tenth embodiment and the explanationthereof will be omitted. The thirteenth embodiment is different from thetenth embodiment in that the swelling part 22e-10 is provided throughoutthe whole periphery of the slot 22. Further, the swelling part 22e-10 isformed with the member similar to that seen in FIG. 24A or FIG. 28.

A fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will be now describedby referring to FIG. 34. Herein, components common to the tenthembodiment shown in FIG. 29 are affixed by the same reference symbols asthose of the tenth embodiment and the explanation thereof will beomitted. The difference between the fourteenth embodiment and the tenthembodiment resides in that reinforcing parts 22f are provided along theoutside parts of the short edge parts 22c-8 and 22d-8 of the slot 22.

Specifically stated, the reinforcing parts 22f are, as shown in FIG. 35,formed so as to protrude to one surface side of the seat belt holdingpart 20B. Further, the reinforcing parts 22f may be, as illustrated as21f-1 in FIG. 36, formed so as to protrude to one surface side and tothe other surface side. The strength in the peripheries of the shortedge parts 22c-8 and 22d-8 on the base member 20 can be improved byproviding the reinforcing parts 22f.

A fifteenth embodiment of the present invention will be next describedwith reference to FIG. 37A. Herein, components common to those of thetenth embodiment shown in FIG. 29 are affixed by the same referencenumerals as those of the tenth embodiment and the explanation thereofwill be omitted. The fifteenth embodiment is different from the tenthembodiment in that the reinforcing part 22f is provided along a partoutside the one long edge part 22a-8 of the slot 22 as a reinforcingpart 22f-2.

That is, the reinforcing part 22f illustrated in FIG. 35 is providedalong a part in the lower side of the long edge part 22a-8 of the slot22 on which the waving belt 74 is deflected. Thus, the strength of apart in the base member 20 for holding the waving belt 74 can beimproved by the above described reinforcing member 22f-2.

Although, in the sixth to fifteenth embodiments, the step part 24 is, asshown in FIG. 37B, formed substantially at right angles with the outerperipheral edge part 23, the step part 24 may be formed, as shown asstep part 24-1 in FIG. 37C, so as to bite obliquely the inside of theouter peripheral edge part 23 or maybe formed, as shown as step part24-2 in FIG. 37D, so as to be slantingly inclined to the coating member30 side. In this case, in order to prevent a resin from leaking alongthe outer peripheral edge part 23, the step part 24 may be preferablyformed, as illustrated in FIG. 37B, substantially at right angles withthe outer peripheral edge part 23, or as illustrated in FIG. 37C, formedso as to bite obliquely the inside of the peripheral edge part 23.

Further, although, in the sixth to fifteenth embodiments, the height ofthe step part 24 is set so that the surface of the coating member 30 issubstantially flush with the surface of the outer peripheral edge part23, the height of the step part 24 may be preferably set so that thesurface of the outer peripheral edge part 23 is slightly higher thanthat of the coating member 30 in order to prevent the resin from leakingalong the outer, peripheral edge part 23.

Additionally, it is desired to form the base member 20 shown in thefirst to fifteenth embodiments in accordance with a cold-working methodby using a high-tension steel. For the high-tension steel, the steelhaving chemical components shown in Table 1 may be preferably used. Thetest results of this high-tension steel are shown in Table 2.

The base member 20 is formed under a cold-working method by using theabove mentioned high-tension steel, so that the base member 20 whosefinish accuracy and dimensional accuracy are considerably excellent canbe obtained. Thus, when the base member 20 is inserted into a metal moldto be subjected to an insert-molding method, an abnormal force due tothe deflection of the base member 20 is not exerted on the metal moldfrom the base member 20. Accordingly, the duration of life of the metalmold can be improved. Further, the steel is work-hardened under acold-working method and a sufficient strength can be obtained, so thatthermal treatment is not needed. Thus, the number of productionprocesses for the base member 20 can be decreased: Furthermore, sincethe base member is formed with the high-tension steel, there is no fearof hydrogen brittleness after a plating process, and therefore, thethermal treatment for removing the hydrogen brittleness is not required.Therefore, the number of production processes can be further reduced andthe cost can be lowered.

Next, processes for cold-working the base member 20 of high-tensionsteel will be described with reference to FIGS. 38 to 42. In this case,the base member 20 manufactured in accordance with the cold-workingmethod corresponds to the base member 20 shown in FIG. 24A and isprovided with the protruding part 22e protruding merely to one side, asillustrated in FIG. 28. The part of the slot 22 which is not providedwith the protruding part 22e is, as shown in FIG. 30, is formed in theshape of a curved surface.

The above mentioned base member 20 is, manufactured by a press machineset for automatically and continuously carrying out the operations ofrespective processes illustrated in FIGS. 38 to 42.

Initially, a high-tension steel plate S wound in the shape of a coil asa raw material of the base member 20 is fed one by one to the pressmachine while it is adjusted to a flat shape.

Then, in the first process P1 (see FIG. 38), slits S1 are initiallypunched out to divide the respective base members 20 which aresuccessively formed and positioning holes H1 are also punched out. Atthis time, marks such as required numeric characters, symbols, etc. aresimultaneously pressed.

Next, in the second process P2, lower holes S2 for forming the slots 22are punched out. At this time, burs are produced in the side towardwhich the lower holes S2 are punched out.

Then, in the third process P3, the angular parts of the side in whichthe burs of the lower holes S2 are produced are face-pressed so that theangular parts of the lower slots S2 are finished to be rounded. Thus,the burs produced in the second process are pressed inward so that theyare apparently removed.

Further, in the fourth process P4 (see FIG. 39), angular parts oppositeto the above described burs of the lower slots S2 are face-pressed sothat the angular parts are finished to be rounded. Thus, the lower slotsS2 subjected to the third and fourth processes have their entireperipheries neatly finished so as to have a curved surface asillustrated in the long edge parts 22a and 22b of FIG. 30.

Next, in the fifth process P5, parts corresponding to the short edgeparts 22c and 22d of the-slots 22 in the lower holes S2 are bent so thatprotruding parts S3 corresponding to protruding parts 22e are formed, Atthis time, the peripheral parts of the protruding parts S3 are slightlycurved toward the direction to which the protruding parts S3 protrude.That is, the peripheral parts of the protruding parts S3 are formed in adistorted shape.

Thus, in the sixth process P6 (see FIG. 40), the peripheral parts of theprotruding parts S3 are formed so as to be flat. Thus, only theprotruding parts S3 protrude from the flat high-tension steel plate S.At this time, the protruding parts S3 are simultaneously formed.

Then, in the seventh process P7, a face pressing is made along the lowerslots S2, go that the protruding parts S3 and other parts are finishedin the shape of a smoothly curved surface. Thus, the protruding parts S3are formed to become short edge parts 22c and 22d having the protrudingparts 22e with curved surfaces as shown in FIG. 28 and other parts tobecome long edge parts 22a and 22b with curved surfaces as shown in FIG.30.

Then, in the eighth process P8 (see FIG. 41), holes S4 are punched outfor forming the adjacent upper side parts and lower side parts of thebase members 20.

Further, in the ninth process P9, required holes S5 are punched out.

Next, in the tenth process P10, bolt-inserting holes 21 are punched outand the outer peripheral edge parts 23 of the base members 20 arepunched out. In this case, only connecting plates S6 for connecting theadjacent base members 20 together are left as they are.

Then, in the eleventh process P11, the connecting plates S6 are cut fromthe adjacent base members 2.0, so, that the individually separated basemembers 20 are completed.

According to the manufacturing method of the base member 20 constructedas mentioned above, since the edge parts of the lower hole S2 are bentso that the swelling parts 22e are formed. Thus, the protruding parts22e can largely protrude from the surface of the base member 20.Further, the protruding parts 22e and other parts can be neatly finishedin the shape of a smoothly curved surface by face-pressing.Specifically, the edge parts of the slot 22 can be finely finished inthe shape of a curved surface only by a press machine, so that afinish-working (a barrel polishing work) does not need to be done inanother process. Therefore, the cost can be lowered.

In addition, the degree of extension of the protruding parts 22e can be0.2 to 0.5 times as thick as the thickness of a base 2, as illustratedin FIG. 32. Therefore, the contact area between the slot 22 and thecoating member 30 can be increased, so that a face pressure exerted onthe coating member 30 can be lowered.

When the processes of FIGS. 6 to 8 shown in the first embodiment arecarried out in addition to the fifth process PS for forming theprotruding parts S3, the protruding parts 22e respectively protruding toone and the other sides of the base member 20 can be formed. In otherwords, the protruding parts 22e shown in FIG. 24 can be formed. Thedegree of extension of the respective protruding parts 22e produced inthis case can reach 0.2 to 0.5 times as thick to as the thickness of thebase member 20. Further, also in the production processes shown in FIGS.2 to 8 and FIGS. 17 to 19, the degree of extension of the respectiveprotruding parts 22e can reach 0.2 to 0.5 times as thick as thethickness of the base 2.

When the seat belt is in a state where it can be supplied, the seat beltcan be slidingly supplied while the intermediate part of the seat beltis folded back on the coating member, for example, by pulling the seatbelt. However, when the supply of the seat belt is stopped, a force forpulling the seat belt is directly exerted on the coating member.

The force directly applied to the coating member is directly exerted onthe slot of the base member through the coating member. The coatingmember undergoes, as its reaction, a reaction force from the edge partsof the slot. However, since at least the edge part of the slotcorresponding to a position on which the seat belt is folded back isformed in the shape of a smoothly curved surface along the direction inwhich the seat belt is folded back, the stress concentration of thecoating member in contact with the edge part of the slot is decreased.Consequently, even when a force acts on the coating member from the edgepart of the slot, a large stress is not generated in the coating memberand such a result can be obtained that a strength is substantiallyincreased over that of a conventional one. Accordingly, since thethickness of the coating member can be reduced in proportion to theincrease of strength, the material cost of the coating member can belowered without deteriorating a safety owing to the decrease of strengthof the coating member. Thus, the cost can be lowered.

Since the thickness of the coating member is set by employing anexcessively sufficient safety factor, the coating member should not bebroken. If the coating member should be broken, the seat belt would notbe cut when it abuts the edge part of the slot, since the edge part ofthe slot corresponding to a position on which the seat belt is foldedback is formed in the shape of a curved surface. In other words, if thecoating member is broken, safety of the seat belt can be ensured.

In addition, if the coating member should be damaged, the seat beltwould not be cut. Therefore, a thinner coating member may be possiblyformed.

According to another embodiment, since at least the edge parts of theslot corresponding to a part on which the seat belt is folded backprotrude to one surface side of the base member and are formed in theshape of a smoothly curved surface along the direction in which the seatbelt is deflected, the radius of curvature of the edge parts can beincreased. Thus, the stress concentration of the coating member incontact with the edge parts can be decreased. Further, a face pressureacting on the coating member from the edge parts can be decreased, sothat a force acting on the coating member from the base member can befurthermore softened reduced.

According to another embodiment edge parts of the slot protrude to onesurface side and the other surface side of the base member, a forceacting on the coating member can be mitigated.

According to another embodiment, since the end parts of the slot in itslongitudinal direction are formed in the shape of a smoothly curvedsurface along the direction in which the seat belt is folded back, thestress concentration of the coating member in contact with the end partsof the slot can be decreased. Therefore, even if the seat beltconcentrically gathers to, for example, the one end part side in thelongitudinal direction of the slot, the force exerted on the coatingmember from the end parts is distributed, so that the force exerted onthe coating member from the base member can be reduced.

According to another embodiment, since the end parts of the slot in itslongitudinal direction are formed so as to protrude to one surface sideof the base member, or both one surface side and the other surface side,the radius of curvature of the end parts formed in the shape of a curvedsurface can be increased. Thus, the stress concentration of the coatingmember coming into contact with the end parts can be further decreased.Further, a face pressure acting on the coating member form the end partscan be decreased. Accordingly, the force exerted on the coating memberfrom the base member an be further softened.

According to another embodiment since the step part set by one steplower than the outer peripheral edge part of the base member is providedin the boundary part between the outer peripheral edge part and thecoating member, a resin can be prevented from leaking along the outerperipheral edge part of the base member from the boundary part duringinsert-molding. Accordingly, the burs formed with the coating member canbe prevented from being produced in the boundary part between the outerperipheral edge part of the base member and the coating member.

Further, since the leakage of the resin can be prevented, as describedabove the closing force of the metal mold does not need to be stronglyset in order to prevent the leakage of the resin. Thus, the durabilityof the metal mold can be Improved.

According to an alternative embodiment, since the base member is formedby cold-working the raw material of high-tension steel, the base memberwhose surface finish accuracy and dimensional accuracy are remarkablygood can be obtained. Therefore, when the base member is inserted intothe metal mod for insert-molding, an abnormal force is not exerted onthe metal mold from the base member. Accordingly, the duration of lifeof the metal mold can be improved. Further, the base member iswork-hardened in accordance with a cold-working method and a sufficientstrength can be obtained, so that the base member does not need to besubjected to a thermal treatment. Thus, the number of productionprocesses can be decreased. Further, since the base member is formedwith the high-tension steel, there is no fear of hydrogen brittlenessnor the thermal treatment for removing the hydrogen brittleness isneeded. Therefore, the number of production processes can be furtherdecreased, so that the cost can be lowered.

                  TABLE I    ______________________________________    CHEMICAL COMPONENTS %    (CAST ANALYSIS)    ______________________________________    C                  0.15 OR LOWER    Si                 1.50 OR LOWER    Mn                 1.80 OR LOWER    P                  0.030 OR LOWER    S                  0.010 OR LOWER    Al                 0.080 OR LOWER    AND OTHERS         Cr    ______________________________________

                  TABLE 2    ______________________________________    YIELD POINT     --    N/mm.sup.2      (YIELD RATIO, 70% OR MORE)    TENSILE    STRENGTH N/mm.sup.2                    780 OR MORE    TENSILE TEST    ELON-  BOARD        2.0 TO    2.5 TO  3.0    GATION THICKNESS    SMALLER   SMALLER TO 4.5           mm           THAN 2.5  THAN 3.0           %            18 OR     19 OR   20 OR                        LARGER    LARGER  LARGER    TEST            DIRECTION    PIECE           JIS NO.5 PERPENDICULAR TO                    ROLLING DIRECTION    BENDING TEST    TEST PIECE BOARD        2.0 TO 3.2                                      LARGER    JIS NO.3   THICKNESS              THAN 3.2               mm                     TO 4.5    DIRECTION  INSIDE       1.0T      1.5T    PERPENDICULAR               RADIUS    TO ROLLING BENDING      180°    DIRECTION  ANGLE    ______________________________________

I claim:
 1. A seat belt hanging and holding member for slidably hangingand holding a seat belt comprising:a base member made of metal havingfirst and second opposing surfaces and a slot extending therethroughhaving a longitudinal axis such that an end of a seat belt is insertedthrough said slot and then folded back upon itself; and a coating membermade of a synthetic resin for covering at least the periphery of saidslot of said base member and having a seat belt-inserting holecorresponding to said slot; said slot having a first edge part forengaging a seat belt, said first edge part protruding and smoothlycurved from said first surface of said base member and smoothly curvedin a direction normal to said longitudinal axis of said slot.
 2. A seatbelt hanging and holding member according to claim 1, wherein said firstedge part protrudes from said first and second surfaces of said basemember and is smoothly curved in a direction normal to said longitudinalaxis of said slot, said first edge part smoothly curved from said firstsurface of said base member to said second surface of said base member.3. A seat belt hanging and holding member for use with a seat beltwebbing, said seat belt hanging and holding member comprising:a basemember having first and second opposing surfaces and a slot extendingtherethrough for engaging a seat belt webbing, said slot defined byfirst and second long edges opposing each other and short edgesconnecting said first and second long edges; and a synthetic resincoating covering said first and second long edges and said short edgesof said slot, wherein a first protrusion extending and smoothly curvedfrom said first surface of said base member is formed on at least saidshort edges.
 4. A seat belt hanging and holding member according toclaim 3, wherein said first protrusion is further formed on at least aportion of said first long edge.
 5. A seat belt hanging and holdingmember according to claim 4, wherein said first protrusion is furtherformed on at least a portion of said second long edge.
 6. A seat belthanging and holding member according to claim 5, wherein said basemember is made of high-tension steel and said first protrusion ischaracterized by being formed by cold-working.
 7. A seat belt hangingand holding member according to claim 4, wherein said base member ismade of high-tension steel and said first protrusion is characterized bybeing formed by cold-working.
 8. A seat belt hanging and holding memberaccording to claim 3, further comprising a second protrusion extendingand smoothly curved from said second surface of said base member formedon at least said short edges, said first and second protrusions forminga smooth curve from said first surface to said second surface.
 9. A seatbelt hanging and holding member according to claim 8, wherein saidsecond protrusion is further formed on at least a portion of said firstlong edge.
 10. A seat belt hanging and holding member according to claim9, wherein said second protrusion is further formed on at least aportion of said second long edge.
 11. A seat belt hanging and holdingmember according to claim 10, wherein said base member is made ofhigh-tension steel and said first and second protrusions arecharacterized by being formed by cold-working.
 12. A seat belt hangingand holding member according to claim 8, wherein said base member ismade of high-tension steel and said first and second protrusions arecharacterized by being formed by cold-working.
 13. A seat belt hangingand holding member according to claim 9, wherein said base member ismade of high-tension steel and said first and second protrusions arecharacterized by being formed by cold-working.
 14. A seat belt hangingand holding member according to claim 3, wherein said base member ismade of high-tension steel and said first protrusion is characterized bybeing formed by cold-working.
 15. A seat belt hanging and holding memberfor use with a seat belt webbing, said seat belt hanging and holdingmember comprising:a base member having first and second opposingsurfaces and a slot extending therethrough for engaging a seat beltwebbing, said slot defined by first and second long edges opposing eachother and short edges connecting said first and second long edges; asynthetic resin coating covering said first and second long edges andsaid short edges of said slot, and a first protrusion extending fromsaid first surface of said base member formed on at least said shortedges, wherein said first protrusion is machined so as to be formed inan entirely smoothly curved surface characterized by having employed alower metal mold and an upper metal mold.